The Connecticut U.S. Senate race is essentially tied up, with 48 percent of likely voters for
Republican Linda McMahon and 47 percent for Democratic U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Voters have about the same low opinion of professional wrestling and the U.S. Congress.

Today's results compare to the too-close-to-call results of an August 28 likely voter
survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ac) University, showing McMahon with 49
percent and Murphy with 46 percent.

In today's survey, 50 percent of McMahon backers are "very enthusiastic," while 39
percent are "somewhat enthusiastic." For Murphy, 27 percent are "very enthusiastic" and 55
percent are "somewhat enthusiastic."

"Connecticut voters like Linda McMahon more than U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy.
But the Democrat seems to be holding his own against the onslaught of negative advertising,"
said Douglas Schwartz, PhD, director of the Quinnipiac University poll.

"McMahon voters are much more likely to say they are very enthusiastic about their
choice than Murphy voters, by about 2-1. While the horserace has barely changed, the images
of both candidates have declined since August, as the campaign attacks have increased."

"Murphy's negatives are up 10 points and McMahon's are up 6 points. McMahon has
done a good job defining Murphy, who was not well known statewide, in a negative way," Dr.
Schwartz added.

Among Connecticut likely voters, 5 percent have a very positive opinion of professional
wrestling, with 18 percent somewhat positive, 31 percent somewhat negative and 30 percent very
negative. Only 2 percent of voters have a very positive opinion of the U.S. Congress, with 24
percent somewhat positive, 37 percent somewhat negative and 34 percent very negative.

"There is so much that could be said about the U.S. Congress and professional wrestling,
but we probably shouldn't say it," Schwartz said.

A total of 84 percent of voters have seen McMahon campaign ads "very often" or
"somewhat often," compared to 64 percent for Murphy. McMahon's ads are "very effective" or
"somewhat effective," 66 percent of voters say, compared to 51 percent for Murphy.

"McMahon's blanketing the airwaves with TV ads appears to be working. More voters
have seen her ads than Murphy's and more voters think they are effective," said Schwartz.

Women back the president 59 - 37 percent, while men are divided, with 49 percent for
Romney and 47 percent for Obama. Independent voters also are divided, with 48 percent for
Obama and 45 percent for Romney.

"President Barack Obama's lead has jumped into double digits, where it is expected to be
in blue Connecticut," Schwartz said.

From September 28 - October 2, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,696 likely voters with
a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New
Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, and the nation as a public service and
for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201,
or follow us on Twitter.

1. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and Mitt Romney the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or Romney? (Table includes leaners)

TREND: If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and Mitt Romney the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or Romney? (Table includes leaners)

7. If the election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Chris Murphy the Democrat and Linda McMahon the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Murphy or McMahon?

TREND: If the election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Chris Murphy the Democrat and Linda McMahon the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Murphy or McMahon? (Table includes leaners)

27a. Generally speaking, what do you think is the better qualification for being a U.S. senator, previous experience in business, or previous experience in politics? COMBINED WITH: Do you feel that way strongly, or somewhat?

39. How concerned are you, if at all, about the amount of her own money that McMahon is spending on her election campaign; are you very concerned about this, somewhat concerned, not so concerned or not concerned at all?